CHRISTMAS..........SUCH A POWERFUL WORD

CHRISTMAS,   one of the most powerful words in the English dictionary.  Not only in the true sense but also used as a word to intimidate and to reward.  I remember growing up and how many different meanings came with the word CHRISTMAS. Then there was SANTA, the second most powerful word. To me if felt like I had learned the true meaning of these two words once I stepped off the platform.... after receiving my high school diploma........but in all fact.......it was years before when my peers had informed me that CHRISTMAS was real,  SANTA was not. I never had the nerve to tell my parents that....it would have broken their hearts. I remember how I spent the first CHRISTMAS away from my parents. I was stationed in Baumholder, Germany with the 7th Army.  I opened a CHRISTMAS card from my parents and found it signed,  "we love you Vito...Mom and Dad.........PS.  Santa left this $50 bill under the tree last night and asked us to send it to you, there is more when you come home.......but he thought it best not to send it in the mail"
AAHH, how those days bring back the the alternative meaning of CHRISTMAS........  presents. It usually started just about a week after New Years.  The magical word CHRISTMAS was beginning to once again become alive, knowing if I was good, Santa would see that and bring me a nice present.............however if I screw something up.........Santa would remember and then it could be a flip of the coin.    It was so intimidating so early in the year but then..............out of nowhere about July the word SANTA started to get mentioned in the same sentence.  Then I knew Mom and Dad meant what they said.

Now, when it was time for me to past this onto my children.....I used the same method of intimidation  and reward............however......it seemed to be for a shorter period of time (in years.)  Did that mean kids were getting smarter.............or dumber?  Smart in the sense that  CHRISTMAS  was real.........Santa .........could be real..............then again, there came a time that the things my kids asked for Santa to bring........if they were good.............were so downright obscene (in cost) that they downright knew Santa could not build this in his workshop...........regardless of how many elves he had working for him. At ten years old, I remember asking Santa for a 2-wheel bicycle.........at 10 years old my son wanted a 24 cylinder Lamborghini ....red in color.............and showed signs of disappointment when he open the package and found a remote control model, that only cost $100.  Who knew at that age.........he wanted the real thing?

With the grand kids, our son and his wife used the same method.  It was a valid point to even a shorter period of time, when  CHRISTMAS was real...............Santa was some guy that was a personal friend of the family............until they discovered that their letters to Santa @ the North Pole at  1234  Duckworth Lane, Lake dreamalong, WA  was their house address........which they were taught at the age of 3.  It was then determined that they should be able to make their own evaluation as to real or not real.  CHRISTMAS....IS REAL.     Santa is what you believe, since now they discovered Santa was real in one case.............but not in the other case.  They were able to realize that there were many Santa's.  Grandma and Grandpa's house, mom and dad's house, their friends house all the different countries, the mall, the local bar and even in the men's and ladies room at many restaurants or malls.  Santa was all over.............but who was the main Santa?...............still that little point to make him real............and still enough to make him intimidating.  ssssooooo  you better not cry, you better not pout, you better  be good I'm telling you why ............SANTA CLAUSE is coming to town.  
CHRISTMAS..........is real...................Santa.............IS    whatever you want him to be.    MERRY CHRISTMAS , MY FRIENDS AND  WISHES FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR.          

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

It's been some time now since the last posting.  I know that I always say it will not be this long but time seems to be moving at such a pace that........I just can't keep up with it.   So many things have happened since the last time I wrote..........I just don't know where to begin......ssssooooo   I might as well just jump in.

As most of you know, I started this blog with the reason to simply be able to leave my grandsons a piece of my life growing up...................this was to show them how lucky they are to be in a world that has a lot more to offer then when I actually grew up.  That turned out to be a little  more  ..."iffy" than when I began talking about it.  Two so called wars and many many uprising of people against their governments along with our totally messed up government made me from time to time think about how........GREAT......it was during the "good ole days".  Anyway I am now going through the blog and picking out some of the better ones............sprucing them up..........and turning them into a self published book of vignettes. In the meantime many other things have happened.............some good...........some not so good...........but I would rather talk about the good things and leave those I cant control to another higher source.

When you reach a certain age in life............receiving gifts are just one thing you really don't think to much about.   Getting more STUFF to add to the stuff you have collected over the past  umpteen years really doesn't matter. You are always ready to just squeeze it in somewhere and save it.   Just one reason why , some years ago we just notified our kids and any friends our age that we were just .......to old......for more stuff and if they wanted to give us something give us something that can be used up in two days,  we now rely on gift cards to restaurants or weekend hotel outings.   As a matter of fact........Christmas 2011 we gave an old friend a gift including a night at a four star  casino hotel, dinner at a nice restaurant, along with a fund of $25 for her gambling.  The best part was.................we joined her so it turned out to be a night out for us as well.  With this in mind,  she returned the gift the next Christmas to us...............a night at a casino hotel, dinner and a $25 gambling chip............however not to be totally like our gift she included a 1 hour massage.  I was very reluctant about this since I had never had a massage and was not quite sure how I would react under the soothing hands.................of another woman.  I remember oh so well when Margot and I walked into the room and meeting our masseuses for the first time..............kikiku for me and.............Paul Bunyan for Margot and they told us to remove our clothes.  I sheepishly asked ............down to what?............the reply from Kikiku was  " whatever you feel comfortable with". " Just wrap the towel around you and get up on the table."  and left the room.  I started to disrobe to where I felt comfortable ....wrapped the towel around me and layed on the table face down.  Less than 2 minutes a small knock on the door and in walked Kikiku. Small conversation as she washed her hands, lit the incense candles, put on soft music that sounded like water falls...............I could only envision in my mind hearing that waterfall music and the smell of jungle incense that a giant bull elephant would soon be river side for a romping in the river...................however much to my surprise as she slowly pulled back the towel in order to reveal as much skin as needed she asked  why I still had my speedos on.  I blushingly told her........speedos ?  that's my underwear they just look tight"  After she convinced me that I would enjoy the massage so much better with them and the suspenders holding them up off...........she left the room again to give me time to put on my birthday suit. I could hear  Kikiku giggling on the other side of the door...............................One hour later I was on cloud nine and smelt like a garden of roses in full bloom.  A very enjoyable experience.   Now that's the kind of presents to receive at my age.  Since them I have had one more massage plus 2 Swedish pedicures........in Sweden which also were  magnificent. Like walking on Dr. Scholl pads.


Just thought I would close this posting with a little photo of my first massage.  I told Kikiku my name was Jeffrey.....how embarrassing.
See you guys later...................come back..................I am!!!!!

EAT,DRINK AND THINK HEALTHY....................

It wasn't to long ago....that I wrote about my annual health examination where my Doctor Karen S suggested that I should become more involved in some sort of exercise.
I received a lot of email from many of you asking me to repeat it since it was something that .........perhaps would interest you.  Guess that came about after looking at my photo (age 77) and still skin as soft as a babies bottom.    Sure there's a little lite smoke on the chimney......but as the Italians say....(I think)  smoke coming out of the chimney shows there's fire in the pot...............or some nonsense like that.   Anyway, I decided to share it once again with you.
First though, I want you to know that not only exercise is needed but a good diet  of protein and fruit drink is necessary. Here's what I recommend

A good fruit drink.......to keep hydrated during the exercising.......plenty of Protein........and a low calorie coolent standing by.      Let the exercising begin:


My first appointment with the head ............ personal instructor,   Ingrid.  She also suggested I keep a daily log and than suggested we meet again at the end of the first week ............along with my log.
I called the training center and confirmed my appointment with my personal   coach......Ingrid, who is a 26 year old girl who besides the job as a personal trainer is also  the  aerobics instructor and models for a swimwear company in her off hours. 
Monday:
I got up at 06.00. It was really tough to get up so early, but when I got to the training center, where Ingrid  was waiting at the front desk  It suddenly became much easier. Ingrid is superb! She has blond hair, stunning blue eyes and a charming smile..........This all went well with her TALL beautifully shape body that sat upon her long legs.  We were a perfect match,  she at 6'1"  125 lbs  ....me at  5'11'  AND  240 lbs.We started with a tour of the facility. Ingrid showed me the machines and the first thing I had to do was run on the treadmill. After five minutes, Ingrid took my pulse, and she seemed a little worried about how high they were..... What she did not understand was that my heart rate was high because she was so close to me in her tight Lycra outfit, I'm in top shape otherwise! When we did sit-ups  Ingrid pushed me and I struggled on, even though I was sick in the stomach after the sit ups and push ups and especially  since I met her at the reception. After the session I enjoyed watching how smoothly Ingrid moved during her aerobic workouts, thinking that she is just as good inside as she is with me.This will be a FANTASTIC week!
Tuesday

:I had to drink two pots of coffee to get up, but eventually I was outside the door on the way to training. Ingrid  forced me to lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then..... she put weights on it too!     My legs felt like spaghetti on the treadmill, but I made quite a few kilometers. The smile I got from Ingrid when I stepped off the treadmill made it more than worth my while. I feel great! This is the second day of my new life!

Wednesday
:I tried to brush my teeth, and the only way that was possible was to hold the head of the toothbrush steady  and move my mouth back and forth over it. I think I have tightening of the hernia  muscles, along with chest pain. I managed to drive as long as I did by not have to steer or brake. I parked in a disabled parking spot at the Training Centre. Ingrid was a little insensitive today and claimed that my screams bothered others who train at the facility. TODAY I have realized that her voice is a little too bouncy for these  early mornings, and when she yells at me, she gets a nasal tone that is really annoying. I had pains in my chest when I was on the treadmill, so instead .......I had to stand on the stair machine........ Who the hell has invented a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by the elevator? Ingrid said it would help me get in shape and increase my enjoyment of life or something.......... She talked a lot of other shit too

.Thursday:
 Ingrid was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth in a grimace  image of a smile, but the grim smile was easily outdone by the  shape of her thin body that  revealed everything. I could not help that I was a half hour late - it took me 20 minutes just to tie my shoes! Ingrid forced me to work out with dumbbells. When she looked away, I took the opportunity to run and hide in the men's locker room. She  had some nerve by sending  Lars to fetch me, and then she put me on the rowing machine as punishment. I felt so abused and mistreated by Ingrid.

Friday:

I hate the little bitch! Ingrid is the most loathsome creature to man.... ever born on this planet..... EVER! Stupid, anorexic little personal.......trainer. If I could move even one small part of my body, in this horrible pain, I would beat her with it. Ingrid wanted me to work on my triceps. .....I HAVE NO triceps! If she did not want me half dead.......(.as she described it) .......on the floor then  she should not have given  me those (% & # #% ¤ & dumbbells, or anything  heavier than a sandwich for that matter. (I'm sure she learned all these so call exercises at a  Sadist School - where she had been an honor student in the subject  "to inflict pain")      Today, even the  treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health advisor., I wish I had landed on something softer, than a muscle bound show off guy also vying for attention from Ingrid.

Saturday:
 Ingrid left a message on my answering machine this morning, in that disgusting, bouncy, squeaky tone she has. She wondered why I did not show up today. The sound of her voice made me want to smash the speaker with the first blunt tool I could find, but unfortunately I lack the strength to even press the buttons on the remote control.  Oh !!    my poor body will never be the same.
Sunday
:I went  to early Church service today to thank God that this week is finally over. I also prayed to God that my Doctor (that bitch!) who talked me into even going to this health club would retire ........SOON    AND   that my wife ........who paid for this week would consider giving me a more fun gift next year...........for example, a root canal or a hefty intestinal cleansing.

ALL THIS TO LIVE ANOTHER DAY............................................

ADMIT IT.......THE FIRST VIDEO IS DAMN CUTE.........THE SECOND.........DAMN MEANINGFUL

TWINS  are in our family.  Our son Scott and his wife Traci were lucky enough to have twin boys Cormick and Bryson some 17 years ago.  Watching these guys grow up over these years brought much joy to Margot and Me. We spent a lot of time with them as they grew and now that we look back we tell ourselves how much meaning they gave to the word  TWINS.  They seemed to have a language of their own, They made up words, that to us.... at that time made no sense at all or gave any meaning to what they tried to say.  We took it as  "babbling baby talk"
To them  Margot and I were not grandma or grandpa, we were   "begums"    The airplanes that passed over head were  "Mos"  big Mos and little Mos and they knew them from the sound of the engines.  Margot tried to teach them some of the simpler Swedish words but they still kept on with the Twinish language
Recently someone posted on Facebook this little video and it immediately brought back memories of our grand kids.  On Facebook I immediately referred it to my friends as    " Two politicians in heavy conversation and what we as the general voting population hear whenever they speak"

http://youtube.com/ff21mars

SAS...........Thanks for 40 years.


SAS afforded me some of the best times over a 40 year period of my life.  I can only say, that the people that I have met and got to know were some of the best in the world.  This little video reflects so very much how I feel towards this period of my life.
This video, apparently professionally done, but with real SAS people (some most reconizable) is truly a dedication to one of the greatest airlines to cover this earth.
SAS..........YOU WILL LONG REMAIN A PART OF MY LIFE.  Thanks for giving me the opportunity to enjoy so many of my dearest friends from around the world.
.http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BSKsi5WggX8&feature=youtu.be&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DBSKsi5WggX8%26feature%3Dyoutu.be

DAYS GONE BY.......................

"Days gone by"............something that some hesitate to say.............but something that brings so many good feelings to .....many.

Recently,  like last night,  was one of those days. A gathering of .............some of the fantastic staff of people that made up the SAS SEATTLE STATION.

This gathering was prompted by the visit of one of staff  Annika, from Sweden where she now lives and works for SAS. The communication lines were opened up by Karin setting this gathering into motion and...............low and behold most of the staff that still reside in the Seattle area was there.  OH sure, Gretchen was there with her 3 kids and never got to get into the photo but her presence was certainly felt. It seems that I recall this to be the second time in as many years that something like this took place.  The other time was also a visit from one of our staff  of the 80's and 90's that decided to move back to her home land after SAS made the decision to outsource staffing to a contracted company.   For the most part.........this staff of ours have hung in there and still see each other for these little get- together's.

 Thanks Karin for planning this evening.  Now from left to right......Anna Louise, Lynn, Gitte, Sven,Laila May, Annika, Karin, Asa  and the big Italian.

one of the past  oldie but goodie videos posted on this blog........deserves another look 

http://youtu.be/3koe_J36rW4

Just make sure you look at it   FULL SCREEN

HAVE A NICE DAY  

THE BRAIN IS A FUNNY THING.......CONNECTED TO THE FUNNY BONE

I recently discovered that a person with a lot of time on their hands ........................eventually ends up dreaming up all kinds of stupid things just to keep their minds occupied. This, to me, is probably the most disturbing factor to "becoming old".   In earlier years, I always found that I had something to do, whether or not , it was really a necessary thing. Ideas seem to flow through my brain  faster than ........"you know what through a goose" as my dad would say.   In those days, I was able to think of ways to make money, which I discovered was actually a hobby of mine. It was really quite easy to do and I found myself jumping in with both feet to get things done.  Now-a-days, the ideas still pass through the brain but the leaping has become shortened and more time is spent "thinking" about it than ..........doing it. Is it possible that the age has something to do with it, is the fire of excitement burning the  desires to compete?  Here again, now I only find myself dreaming instead of doing.  Now, I must admit that nostalgia from those good old days are seemingly taking over those days of dreaming of wealth.............which by the way............as hard as I tried to reach that goal,  I was never able to accomplish it.............to my liking.  Even though, I presently find myself  living a very comfortable life, I find that I now search out ways to bring a smile to people's faces or a little belly chuckle.  I spend much to much time on a computer, searching out bits of information, that I no longer have real use for .........I spend to much time on social media.......disagreeing with people  simply because "I know better" using all these little bits of information that I have found that perhaps they are not totally aware of ......or simply do not want to believe. I have become somewhat opinionated based on fact more than anything else...............or is it fact as I believe it to be.  Anyway, life goes on and will continue to go on after me..............so now I must turn the page and try to think in the past.
I found this little piece with Woody Allan............from 1965.....I think.   Try it on for size.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuCufsHa8wU


One thing I started to do .................late in life ..................was to become more useful in the kitchen. Prior to this time I only used the kitchen ................as a place to eat, then I finally confessed to myself that ............cooking was where it was at..
My mom, I believe, was the greatest cook on earth. There wasn't anything she could not do in the kitchen and she did not have all the benefits of special spatula's or blenders or food processors or any of that modern stuff.  She had a knife, fork and two different size spoons........however she knew what a "pinch" was or a "bit more" meant and especially was an expert of the "smither" generation.
Growing up, we very seldom went out to a restaurant...........my dad would always tell me that my mom would want to visit the kitchen to make sure that everything was being prepared  properly. At 5'3" and 93 lbs soak and wet .....mom was Ms. Kitchen to me.  Thank goodness it wasn't until 60 years old that it started to show. Now I simply tell everyone..........I was one helluva lineman for the Trenton Trojans, what they don't know was the only time on a football field for me was a 5 minutes tryout for an Army team......to get out of guard duty..........which I turned traitor on and simply gave the opposing lineman the ball if they promised not to hurt me, other than that I did spend some time on the grid iron in high school ...........with the marching band.
You probably will not recognize me in the video.........SIMPLY BECAUSE......it is not me, but this could have been 40 years earlier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuZBGEDM33Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player


Have a nice week.................see you soon

A REASON FOR A........CELEBRATION...........

Many people need many reason for a celebration,  many people need .......NO   reason for a celebration.

The Scandinavians.......need very little reason for a celebration.......how about meeting today   June 21 and celebrate the longest day of the year ?    OK,  I'll be over at 4PM in my best clothes and we can start ................and see how long the day will last.

MIDSOMMARFEST was just born ...................the celebration of light, I think but who the hell cares..................pour me another drink and let's start to dance.  Just for those that don't know what Midsommar celebrations are all about  check out this video.  It will give you somewhat of an idea of just what the day includes.  The little islands shown and are spoken about actually belong to the Stockholm  Archipelago

                                                                          http://youtu.be/u8ZLpGOOA1Q

Hope you got a little flavor of MIDSOMMARFEST.    How about some photos of our celebration that actually took place on June 22nd.

 The Swedish Flag presides over the festivities

 Start up the Food table

 Let the PARTY BEGIN !

Sure has been a long day............and another  5 lbs.  Lots of singing, lots of eating and TO MUCH DRINKING.

 Two Vikings........................missing in action.


THE FESTIVITIES CONTINUE


Now, to continue with the music mode,  check out this amazing act of.................WHATEVER IT TAKES!!!      http://www.wimp.com/brassband/

SEE YOU SOON !!!!!

EXERCISE...... OR..........NOT

I would like to begin this blog with a little video I found.  It's from a vaudeville act that I believe is from the 1980's.  Take a peek at it Check out the video marked   JOVERS. from the list.

http://www.youtube.com/user/nharrington1?


During my annual health examination My doctor suggested to me that I should become more involved in some sort of exercise.  She usually does this each and every year........this year she seemed to be a little more insistent,   even to the point that she made the call to a local Health and exercise club and made my first appointment for me with the head ............ personal instructor,   Ingrid.  She also suggested I keep a daily log and than suggested we meet again at the end of the first week ............along with my log.
I called the training center and confirmed my appointment with my personal   coach......Ingrid, who is a 26 year old girl who besides the job as a personal trainer is also is the  aerobics instructor and models for a swimwear company in her off hours. 

Monday:
I got up at 06.00. It was really tough to get up so early, but when I got to the training center, where Ingrid  was waiting at the front desk  It suddenly became much easier. Ingrid is superb! She has blond hair, stunning blue eyes and a charming smile..........This all went well with her TALL beautifully shape body that sat upon her long legs.  We were a perfect match,  she at 6'1"  125 lbs  ....me at  5'11'  AND  240 lbs.

We started with a tour of the facility. Ingrid showed me the machines and the first thing I had to do was run on the treadmill. After five minutes, Ingrid took my pulse, and she seemed a little worried about how high they were..... What she did not understand was that my heart rate was high because she was so close to me in her tight Lycra outfit, I'm in top shape otherwise! When we did sit-ups  Ingrid pushed me and I struggled on, even though I was sick in the stomach after the sit ups and push ups and especially  since I met her at the reception. After the session I enjoyed watching how smoothly Linda moved during her aerobic workouts, thinking that she is just as good inside as she is with me. This will be a FANTASTIC week!

Tuesday:
I had to drink two pots of coffee to get up, but eventually I was outside the door on the way to training. Ingrid  forced me to lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then..... she put weights on it too!     My legs felt like spaghetti on the treadmill, but I made quite a few kilometers. The smile I got from Ingrid when I stepped off the treadmill made it more than worth my while. I feel great! This is the second day of my new life!

Wednesday:
I tried to brush my teeth, and the only way that was possible was to hold the head of the toothbrush steady  and move my mouth back and forth over it. I think I have tightening of the hernia  muscles, along with chest pain. I managed to drive as long as I did by not have to steer or brake. I parked in a disabled parking spot at the Training Centre. Ingrid was a little insensitive today and claimed that my screams bothered others who train at the facility. TODAY I have realized that her voice is a little too bouncy for these  early mornings, and when she yells at me, she gets a nasal tone that is really annoying. I had pains in my chest when I was on the treadmill, so instead .......I had to stand on the stair machine........ Who the hell has invented a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by the elevator? Ingrid said it would help me get in shape and increase my enjoyment of life or something.......... She talked a lot of other shit too.

Thursday:
 Ingrid was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth in a grimace  image of a smile, but the grim smile was easily outdone by the  shape of her thin body that  revealed everything. I could not help that I was a half hour late - it took me 20 minutes just to tie my shoes! Ingrid forced me to work out with dumbbells. When she looked away, I took the opportunity to run and hide in the men's locker room. She  had some nerve by sending  Lars to fetch me, and then she put me on the rowing machine as punishment. I felt so abused and mistreated by Ingrid.

Friday:
I hate the little bitch! Ingrid is the most loathsome creature to man.... ever born on this planet..... EVER! Stupid, anorexic little personal.......trainer. If I could move even one small part of my body, in this horrible pain, I would beat her with it. Ingrid wanted me to work on my triceps. .....I HAVE NO triceps! If she did not want me half dead.......(.as she described it) .......on the floor then  she should not have given  me those (% & # #% ¤ & dumbbells, or anything  heavier than a sandwich for that matter. (I'm sure she learned all these so call exercises at a  Sadist School - where she had been an honor student in the subject  "to inflict pain")      Today, even the  treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health advisor., I wish I had landed on something softer, than a muscle bound show off guy also vying for attention from Ingrid.

Saturday:
 Ingrid left a message on my answering machine this morning, in that disgusting, bouncy, squeaky tone she has. She wondered why I did not show up today. The sound of her voice made me want to smash the speaker with the first blunt tool I could find, but unfortunately I lack the strength to even press the buttons on the remote control.  Oh !!    my poor body will never be the same.

Sunday:
I went  to early Church service today to thank God that this week is finally over. I also prayed to God that my Doctor (that bitch!) who talked me into even going to this health club would retire ........SOON    AND   that my wife ........who paid for this week would consider giving me a more fun gift next year...........for example, a root canal or a hefty intestinal cleansing.

Keep Cool and see you soon  with another posting.

 

Last week we saw how different species TRAIN their young.  I want to take it one step forward this week and show you HOW once again.   Don't pass this up


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq8nYgnE93Y

When I see things like this.....it forces me to look back as far as I can remember to see just how it plays a role with humans.  I discovered that there was not much of a difference.  OH sure for most of us Lucky ones the dog leads the pack on taking the necessary precautions to teach without harm, even thought I remembered being "dunked" in water by my dad to teach me how to swim.  To this day, I happen to be a great swimmer.......... on my back...........turn me over and for some unknown reason I become a concrete ball.  Was it the "dunking" that did it?  who knows, but just compare the daddy or mommy dog that is teaching the puppy dog to go down stairs.  Once the bottom is reached  the puppy dog will always remember that daddy/mommy dog as a hero.  Will the same be said by that stupid cat that was "pawed" down the steps............I think not.......it's no wonder cats are sneaky, vicious animals.  Now, one might be saying........under your breath with eyes rolling........where the hell is Vito taking this whole thing.  My mom was a jewel of a woman, she was there when I scraped my knee, when I had a splinter in my finger, when I got a "C" in English.  She was there to see me when I could not hold back the tears from loosing my first girlfriend to another guy..............My dad ......on the other hand was there to teach me to catch and throw a ball, to teach me to respect my elders and woman of all ages, to drive a car and to pay my due taxes each year, but not a penny more. He taught me to always have a dollar hidden ...............for that rainy day.  Now living in Seattle where it rains 7 months a year..............does anyone know just how many dollars that takes.......having said that though, my dad was always MY HERO.............along with Joe DiMaggio. He taught me all those things that the smartest engineers in the world missed.  He was the smartest street smart person I can remember.  Dad I miss you ..............and like Mom always told me after your passing (that you went to help GOD) I hope you doing a good job. Some of those things I have never forgotten , that you taught me:
Never use the defroster in the car to clear the windows, it uses to much power from the engine.  Always keep a little opening in the window and carry a rag in the glove box to wipe the window clear

If the power on the TV goes off.....its not the electricity.....just hit it on the side and it will come back on (haven't had to use that one for some years)

When you check the oil in your car and you pull the oil stick out before getting an old rag or piece of paper......use the bottom of your tee shirt. There's your new oil checking rag.

When you get up in the morning, before doing anything, check the OBITS..........no sense in starting something you'll not have to finish..........HUH!!

Well, have to go now.................I'm teaching a neighbors puppy how to go down stairs today   and tomorrow I'm teaching her cat !!!!!

WHAT WAS I THINKING OF ???

  

Last Week, I wrote briefly about how one must learn by watching and than imitating.  I forgot to enclose a video that I wanted to show you  on trusting the one you are imitating.  Try this one on for size.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=xdj67XknFrM#t=5

UNCLE JAY....................the educator

Uncle Jay is widely known for explaining  things to children.  I came upon this one explaining what RECESS means and thought I would pass it along to you.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0FJhOMc-vA

THINGS TO PUT ON ONES WISH LIST

Everyone, I am sure has some kind of a wish list of things to do.............before.............THAT day arrives.  I am still working on mine.  One of the things I really wanted to do......was drive through Europe.  Now I have done it 3 times and wish I could do it again.  Some of you would probably snub the idea and remark on  .................what's the big deal................To me, personally, it was a big deal, just to experience the different in driving culture.  I guess I should have included a driving course at NASCAR but could not at any time put the two of them together.    WOW ! big mistake. Driving the no speed limit on the Autobahn through Germany was to awesome,  especially when I......was driving a Mercedes and clocked myself at 105MPH   AND   looked into my rear view mirror only to see the flashing lights of another  vehicle that wanted to pass me.................OK bro........I'll  pull over to the right lane and keep going .................let this Lamborghini  through....................what the hell ! !  that was a SMARTCAR.   Does he have a pilots license ?

Not only was the speed exciting but the city driving even more of a challenge. I found the Europeans, especially the Italians being the more creative  for searching out ways of making U turns and for parking. 

why hadn't I ever thought of this ?????

Driving in Europe..................especially Italy        

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2013/feb/06/naples-parking-fiasco-holdup-video



EVERYBODY NEEDS SOME HELP

It may be that sometime along your travel through life.........you just needed to rely on someones help...........but never wanted it to be known.  It's nothing very astonishing , that's part of human nature, one just does not want to be seen as being helpless, useless or just down right in need to lean on someone to "make it through this tough life"

Having said that, I just don't care whether or not YOU happen to feel if this applies to you or not...............simply........IT DOES.   Think back,
you learned by watching and than imitating.  I personally watched my mom and dad and learned through what they did.  OH sure there came a time........in my case......my teen years ........where I just happened to think that...........enough learning......now it's time for doing since I felt I had learned all there was to learn.  How stupid since to this very day the dawn brings new adventures and new learning.........even to a know it all guy like me.

No matter how we try to admit that we have finally learned ALL THERE IS TO KNOW  we can still be taught...........one more thing.  This goes for animals as well.  Check this video out and you will see, that even that little puppy has to learn..........how to go down stairs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noevv1e6RrQ

Now......not only does needing help apply to doggies  but MOSTLY  to people.Think about it, each and every time you enter the door of an aircraft you will hear the crew come on with instructions pertaining to safety aboard.  It never ends. Are you the person that will just not LIFT YOUR HEAD up from whatever to listen to these announcements?   Not me...........for even I................the one that knows everything will once again..............LEARN.!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3eNFdwn07g

Not to change the subject...............but..............a Christmas time treat is the decorating of a Gingerbread house.  I did that one year with my grand kids, and I must admit.............I really needed that Martini at the end of the evening. There was....literally icing and pieces of gingerbread all over the kitchen. In fact.......I noticed that Gabbi, the golden retriever was a little bit heavier and  had a white beard........ but it turned out OK.  You would never believe that I ever knew anything about architecture if you saw these houses.  
Anyway, We started to import the gingersnaps from a great company in Northern Sweden and they bake these awesome gingerbread hearts. I've been thinking of ways to decorate them and have found this to be a challenge.   How about these?

Just something a little different
See you next week!!!!!!!!!

SEATTLE............MY TOWN

I will never forget that one day, I was brought into the office of the Vice President of SAS, North America and that one statement and question was posed to me.  Vito, we would like to have you go to Seattle and open the station operation  there.  Would this be something you might be interested in?

John, thanks for that opportunity......It turned out extremely well.  I want to share of little of Seattle with you all.  This little collection of photo's of Seattle and what it has to offer along with the mellow tones of Kenny G.  brings to you my town.  The photo's are the work of a good friend of mine........Dave.......who is actually an amateur photographer but really good at this hobby.

I want you to sit back with full screen and enjoy this.  To those SAS Crew members that follow my blog............hope it brings back some really fond memories.

                              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2yPDci7kWs

Come back again !!!!!!